The Firearm Blog

NRANews's Cam and Company [ iTunes Link, 1/14/10 episode ] let slip the news that Ruger would have a LCR chambered in .357 Magnum on display. I am sure that this is the wheel gun that Michael Bane recently blogged about!

The original .38 Special Ruger LCR was announced at SHOT Show last year.

[ Many thanks to Nick for alerting me to the news. ]

Following on from the success of the Ruger LCP, Ruger have unveiled the Ruger LCR (Light Weight Compact Revolver). What sets it apart from other compact revolvers is that polymers have been used as much as possible. The Ruger LCR will be available 1st March 2009

Ruger LCR. Click to expand.

The revolver features:

* Double Action
* Polymer fire-control housing
* Aluminum frame with black “synergistic” hard coating
* Fluted stainless steel cylinder, lightweight and compact.
* 5 Rounds in the cylinder
* Replaceable front sight.U-notch rear sight.
* The fire control system has been designed with a friction reducing cam that allows a very smooth trigger pull.
* The internal lock has been designed so it will not interfere with the fire control components.

The Specs:

Caliber: .38 SPL+P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Finish: Matte Black/Target Grey
Grip: Hogue Tamer w/ Sorborthane Insert
Barrel Length: 1.875″
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Overall Length: 6.50″
Weight: 13.5 oz.
Front Sight(s): Replaceable, Pinned Ramp Front
Rear Sight(s): Integral U-Notch

The standard model has a recommended retail price of $525.

Ruger are also simultaneously releasing a model with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. It has MSRP of $792.

Ruger LCR-LG. Click to expand

GunBlast have already reviewed the LCR and were impressed (thanks to cmblake6 for the link):

The trigger pull on the LCR is very smooth, and very light for a pocket revolver. Many pocket revolvers have dreadful trigger pulls, and I get a lot of email from readers who buy a gun for defense, and have a very hard time pulling the trigger. If the production LCRs are like the one that I shot, the trigger pull problem is solved. That gun had what could be called a perfect trigger pull for a pocket revolver; a smooth and light double action. I do not know the pull weight of the LCR, but will measure such things when a production gun arrives.

I will update this post as more information arrives.

UPDATE: More info from Ruger

Friction Reducing Cam. Patent pending.

Fire Control Housing. Patent Pending.

There are a total of three new pending patents. Not bad for a wheel gun!

UPDATE: Holster compatibility:

* Blackhawk Inside Pocket – Size 4
* Black Hawk Inside Pant – Size 0
* Fobus TA85 (Standard)
* Fobus RU101 (Evolution)
* Uncle Mike’s Inside Pant – Size 0

UPDATE: The Ruger LCR will be available 1st March 2009

UPDATE: A video

The press release is after the jump.
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